April 13: Runners sprint, dance, stumble across Marathon des Sables finish line
By Dan Morrison

Lahcen Ahansal

Positions first, second, and third were locked, with Ahansal, Corredor, and Olmo to win those trophies respectively.

But the Marathon des Sables is about much more than who wins. The other 336 runners still in the race were just that — still in the race.

Although only 12 miles remained in the 150-mile contest, after running and living in the desert for a full week these last dozen miles were perhaps the most important many of the runners would ever attempt.

Twenty-two of them had quit by the last day, and many of those still in the running were in questionable health. Alex Blodgett awoke in the morning and discovered he had blood in his urine.

Canadian runner Chloe Lanthier, whose big toenail had fallen off early in the race, was diagnosed with gangrene. Lanthier refused to drop out of the competition, and after two injections was ready to run.

Others had similar ailments. Yet none would quit. Not now.

A group of runners crosses the finish line together

All this was closely observed by a perimeter of children from the village of Ignaoun, who, despite repeated warnings from the security personnel to keep out of the bivouac area, continued to creep closer. By morning's light, more than a few items were suspiciously missing.

The race kicked off on the final day with the last dozen runners taking a 30-minute head start. Not that it made much difference. They would still finish hours behind the frontrunners.

The Spaniards were proud in their slothfulness, but would ultimately fail in their kamikaze mission, and would cede last place to a Frenchman.

The first 14 kilometers would take the runners through a large village and along a narrow street, much to the joy of the residents.

Bill Menard

Then into the village of Tagounite, which was more a small town with paved roads than the Berber villages of the desert. Hook a left, and then straight ahead three blocks to the finish line. Standing behind a single rope barrier, and kept back by stern-looking soldiers, the onlookers crowded to see the runners.

The first to turn the corner was the indomitable Russian Andrei Derksen, with Lahce Ahansal just on his heels. Then, remarkably, Derksen seemed to slow just a breath, and Ahansal sprinted ahead to win the race.

Ahansal would have won with a faster cumulative time in any case. And perhaps Derksen simply ran out of energy. Or Ahansal simply found something deep inside to let him kick past the Russian.

But any way you saw it, it was a classic finish.

And then the others: Corredor. Olmo. Osuna.

Robert Nagle, with his distinctive style, his elbows held high, sprinted the final distance. Bill Menard also pushed himself hard through the arch.

Alex Blodgett and Buddy Gadams held their hands high in victory as they finished. Boyd Matson and Jan Richardson carried the American flag as they crossed the finish line.

Some runners were overcome with the spirit of camaraderie and grabbed the hand of the nearest runner to finish in a tie. A pointless gesture in the narrow view of race standings, but meaningful nonetheless.

Others, competitive to the end, sprinted in sometimes successful attempts to sneak past just one more runner before the race was over for good. To some 149th is just a hell of a lot better than 150th.

Some juggled stones. Some stopped to do victory dances for the crowd just before they crossed under the arch. Some kicked their heels.

More then just a few had tears running down their cheeks when they finally stumbled the last few yards.

And then it was over.

There would be an award ceremony back in Ouarzazate, but that would be mere window dressing. Three hundred thirty-nine runners had completed the toughest footrace in the world.

What toast of the wine glass could possibly enhance that self-knowledge?

Dan Morrison is a freelance writer-photographer based in Austin, Texas.